Disconnected

Artist's Renditioning of One Week Without a Cellphone

"It's like... you're out in space, man, and all you can do is just wait and wonder who's callin' you and gettin' your v-mail all day and goin, "Oh man, I've been blackballed" and your jes' out there, man, like an... involuntary Thoreau...!"

Really, to be without a cellphone is to be completely disenfranchised. But I'm back in black! --(berry). Pardon me while I call everyone I know to let them know that they are neither on my "list" nor am I in little pieces in the trunk of a Crown Vic.

.

As Seen On... (sucker edition)

Saturday, July 5th. "Here Comes Your Weekend" parking lot blowout and Gallery Hop.

Laelia, Used Kids Records.

I'm a sucker for red hair, especially when in a simple, striking cut. I've heard it said that redheads shouldn't wear purple (or pink), but this girl proves otherwise. Mad otherwise.

Sandy, Hairstylist.

Just as I'm a sucker for redheads, I'm also a sucker for a hard-rockin' mama. I was pleasantly surprised to find her tattoos were of a fluffy, friendly menagerie of bunnies, snails and bugs in a garden.

"I'm still not done yet!"

They reminded me of a friend of mine whose tattoos are all of animals dressed up as tacos and hamburgers.

Sally, Animal Spirit.

Suckerism #3? Yellow and purple. This lovely lass had a cool "photographer" vibe. I dug her fearless color mixing (yellow vest, purple top; green and red sneakers) tempered by grey jeans and brown belt.

"What kind of animal are you?" "A wolf, definitely."

Sally also had some very cool jewelry on: her necklace reminded me of a full moon and a window and the phrase, "Nevermore!"

Carmen, Cat Lady.

Lastly, I'm a sucker for anyone who can pull off red and green. I love how she styled the long, loose fit of her blouse with simple, tailored accessories and shorter skirt. I love the classic summery-ness of a white skirt, and how it lets the red and green speak for iteself.



.

Happy 4th of July!

Patriotism is out of style and it has been since the Vietnam War. But I still get excited about the Fourth of July, and break out all my red, white and blue. You don't have to buy into the politics that were bought for us or support the initiatives --or forgive the ignorance-- of our government to love the country.

I simply appreciate having a day reserved to truly appreciate the big and small things that make life great where I live.

I'm making Watergate Salad, candied sweet potatoes and corn pudding for a cookout tonight attended by my Sweetness and some fun, funny people followed by fireworks and debauchery and all things considered, it'll be a damn fine day.

Happy Fourth of July! I hope your day is filled with food, folks and fun.


.

Store Updates!

For those who don't know, I have an Etsy store where I sell vintage clothing. Usually it's shoes, but I've been having good luck with dresses lately so why not? Here's a little preview of all that I've just uploaded, and... oh! Send me an Etsy message upon purchase with the code "spandexpony blog july" for a 20% discount!



Lightweight, gauzy cotton and the best color (and in a size 12)!



Disco-tastic! If the Alphabeats would ever tour here, I would wear this. I love the length, too but it would be excellent hemmed up as well!



Short, sweet, colorful and with a Navajo pattern!



Hands-down the best vintage dress I have ever found. A beautiful shape, substantial fabric and excellently made. Plus, it has pockets and wooden buttons!

Also, if you have any special requests, or have been looking for something that you simply cannot find, let me know! I'll keep my eyes peeled for ya. Til next time...!


.

Parasols, part Deux

I ran across these pictures in the Historic Costume and Textile Collection's curator's office. Any more carry-off-able than the Parashell? Doubtful. But now that it's raining, the appropriateness factor of a lavish protective dome is rising... risING!!!


Best... childhood...ever! Unsure of the origin of this photograph, but it was taken in the 1920s sometime. Dig the scalloped edges, and the steed! Is he spandex, by chance?



For those unfamiliar with Girlshop.com, it was like a less mainstream, more esoteric Shopbop, and a habitual eye-candy visit for me. One thing they had, that I didn't buy (daggit!) was a trenchcoat that had two appliques, one on each shoulder blade, of an eye. Mourn! This umbrella would be, bar-none, the perfect accessory when coupled with my secret decoder ring! Groovy!



This is an engraving of a Chinese wedding procession from the turn of the 20th century. Wonder if my fiance would go for (or spring for) this? I'm getting ideas....!


.

How to Use a Parasol Without Looking Like a Gothic Lolita

Sometimes, the sun just gets to be too damn much. You can wear sunscreen, you can wear shades but there comes a time when you're dragging yourself across a good stretch of hot pavement and all you can do is curse the city planner who never heard of planting a tree.

The obvious solution would be a parasol, but unless I'm in a period play (or Japan maybe), I'm not doin' it. Unless, of course, you are speaking of the Parashell. Like, wo.

Blouse: Zac Posen. Cigarette Pants: Dior. Teddy Necklace, Earrings: Dior. Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell.

Check out the interview with the designer at Pingmag!


[images via vernacularphotography.com, oaknyc.com, pingmag.jp, eluxury.com]